NASA Targets April 1 for Historic Artemis II Moon Mission Launch

NASA has confirmed April 1, 2026, as the target launch date for Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon's vicinity since Apollo 17 in 1972. The four-person crew will embark on a 10-day journey that will take them around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth.

A Historic Crew

The Artemis II mission will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The crew represents several historic firsts: Glover will become the first person of color to reach deep space, Koch will be the first woman, and Hansen will be the first non-American to travel to the Moon's vicinity.

Technical Challenges Overcome

The mission faced a brief delay after engineers discovered an issue with the Space Launch System rocket's helium system during a fueling test in February. Technicians successfully replaced a faulty seal, and mission managers opted not to conduct an additional wet dress rehearsal to preserve launch window days. The rocket will be moved back to the launch pad from the Vehicle Assembly Building in the coming days.

The launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. ET on April 1, with six additional backup opportunities on April 2 through 6 and April 30.

Expanded Artemis Program

NASA has also announced an accelerated Artemis timeline. Following Artemis II, the agency plans Artemis III in mid-2027, with the first lunar landing since 1972 scheduled for Artemis IV in early 2028. NASA aims to achieve at least one surface landing per year after that, marking a sustained return to human lunar exploration.

The Orion spacecraft will carry the crew on its first crewed flight, traveling approximately 250,000 miles to reach lunar orbit before returning to Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.